Gwarube was speaking at a press briefing on Thursday afternoon as cases of food poisoning involving children increase.

“I believe no school should be allowed to store or use these dangerous chemicals on their premises. Our goal is to create a safe environment for all our learners.”

Health officials said last month that pesticide poisoning was responsible for the deaths of six children in Soweto.

There have been several other incidents in different parts of the country, including KZN, which resulted in many schoolchildren, mostly, falling ill and requiring medical attention after consuming snacks.

“Of course, we are deeply concerned about snacks and other foods that are contaminated and ending up on school premises. That is why we are playing an active role with the group that the Minister of Health has convened, in order to ensuring that our learners, especially the most vulnerable young children, are protected,” Gwarube added.

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